Former Redskins DT Chris Baker signs three-year deal with Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed free-agent defensive tackle Chris Baker to upgrade their pass rush next to Gerald McCoy.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Baker’s deal is a three-year deal, worth over $6 million a year.

Baker, 29, totaled 100 tackles, 9.5 sacks and five forced fumbles for the Washington Redskins over the last two seasons. After just two total sacks among 81 tackles in his first six NFL seasons, he had six sacks in 2015 and 3.5 this past season, working mostly as a defensive end in a 3-4 defense. He’ll move inside to defensive tackle in the Bucs’ 4-3 defense.

Baker was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Broncos in 2009 and then was on the Dolphins’ practice squad before joining the Redskins in 2011. One season later, Baker became a regular contributor, appearing in 14 games.

The Bucs have limited returning depth at defensive tackle — backups Akeem Spence, John Hughes and Sealver Siliga are all free agents that haven’t been re-signed. Clinton McDonald, the starter next to McCoy for the past three seasons, is 30 and has one year remaining on his contract.

Baker is expected to be the second free agent to go from Washington to Tampa Bay, joining receiver DeSean Jackson. The Bucs were finalizing a deal for the receiver on Thursday afternoon.